Articles
The Wedding at Cana
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on The Wedding at Cana
Among the most noteworthy of all the Gospel stories is the wedding at Cana; it was momentous that Jesus miraculously turned the water into wine and publicly revealed his divinity for the first time. The wedding occurred in March of 28 AD and is only recorded in the Gospel According to John (2:1-12), and was Read More
Called for Less?
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Called for Less?
A few years ago, the Catholic Leadership Institute received a grant to provide ongoing formation support to priests nationwide using a set of tools. We named the support “Called for More,” in the spirit of rekindling among priests just how vital their vocation is and to help them keep striving to grow in healthiness, happiness Read More
Baptism
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Baptism
New Year! There is something about this time, at least where I live, in this portion of the Lord’s vineyard, in which the ice and snow engender thoughts about summer with green grass, radiant sun and refreshing waters. I am reminded of the first, and probably last, time I went kayaking. As a novice, I Read More
Why Wait ’Til Marriage?
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Why Wait ’Til Marriage?
Spending time with young couples who are preparing to be married is a real privilege and a beautiful opportunity. It is no secret that the attendance of young people celebrating the Eucharist is low. It is also no secret that the vast majority of young couples preparing for marriage are living together — but not Read More
Practicing Virtue
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Practicing Virtue
To begin the new year, my spiritual director challenged me to grow in virtue rather than make a picayune resolution. I decided that I was going to be more patient and charitable in my daily interactions. That only lasted several days. After a daily Mass, a man came up to me to complain that the Read More
Celebrating Mass Alone
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Celebrating Mass Alone
“When the people are gathered, the priest approaches the altar.” Thus begins the Order of Mass. But what does the priest do when no people have gathered? What governs the celebration of a private Mass? Various circumstances may cause the priest to ponder celebrating Mass alone. He may be sick and contagious. The weather may Read More
A Pastoral Principle for Preachers
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on A Pastoral Principle for Preachers
Father Bill and I stood in my basement paging through theology books once used in the seminary. As we examined them, he turned the pages of an old book. While looking at its worn pages, he smiled, repeated a scholastic principle, and applied it to preaching, following Christ and remaining active in today’s Church. The Read More
Renewing the Priesthood through a Rediscovery of the Diaconate
Gigi Duncan Comments Off on Renewing the Priesthood through a Rediscovery of the Diaconate
In a recent address to the transitional deacons of Rome, Pope Francis emphasized how their approaching ordination to the priesthood does not, in any way, diminish their earlier ordination to the diaconate. Concerning this, the pope writes: “One does not become a pastor without first being a deacon. The diaconate does not disappear with priesthood: Read More